Sometimes, even the biggest stars are happy to play a supporting role. Take Primoz Roglic, a legend of the cycling world. He’s won the Vuelta a España four times – in 2019, 2020, 2021, and again in 2024. He also triumphed at the Giro d’Italia in 2023. Yet, next Sunday, he’s ready to step back. Roglic will put his own ambitions aside to support Tadej Pogacar in the road race at the World Championships in Rwanda.
This is quite a sight for cycling fans. Usually, they are fierce rivals, battling it out for Grand Tour victories. But in Rwanda, Roglic and Pogacar will both wear the colors of Slovenia. Their shared goal is simple: help Pogacar claim his second world title. Roglic has a clear idea of how to make that happen.
“We will have the honor of competing with nine cyclists,” Roglic explained. He finished eighth in this year’s Tour de France, so he knows a thing or two about racing. “We have all seen how Tadej Pogacar behaves. We just have to give him space. We must not interfere too much in his path.” It’s a straightforward approach, trusting in Pogacar’s undeniable talent.
The race in Rwanda promises to be very tough. This is true on all fronts, from the weather to the course itself. The route is a “leg-breaking” circuit. It winds through the rolling hills of Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city. There’s a climb almost six kilometers long. It averages a 6.9 percent gradient. This tough section hits riders about 100 kilometers from the finish line.
Roglic himself sees the challenge ahead. “It will truly be a very hard race,” he predicted. He didn’t say if Tadej Pogacar plans to repeat his 2024 tactic. That year, Pogacar attacked exactly 100 kilometers from the finish. It’s a mystery for now, but with Roglic backing him, anything is possible.